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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






2. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






3. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






4. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






5. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






6. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






7. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






8. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






9. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






10. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






11. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






12. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






13. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






14. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






15. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






16. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






17. The highest female voice.






18. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






19. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






20. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






21. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






22. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






23. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






24. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






25. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






26. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






27. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






28. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






29. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






30. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






31. Suite of Baroque dances.






32. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






33. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






34. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






35. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






36. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






37. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






38. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






39. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






40. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






41. Closing section of a movement.






42. A short or brief sonata.






43. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






44. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






45. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






46. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






47. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






48. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






49. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






50. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.